Obituary
Gary Ross Logan MSW, LMSW
Birth date: December 01, 1946
Death date: May 26, 2010
Gary was born in Detroit, MI, to Hubert and Marguerite Logan. He was raised in Dearborn and Livonia and is an alumnus of Franklin High School in Livonia (’64).
Gary had a marvelous sense of humor, an always optimistic attitude, and keen intelligence. His early interests included gymnastics, hiking, and cave exploration. He was a nature lover and as an adult, enjoyed gardening and landscaping. For a period of time he was an active member of the Ann Arbor Bonsai Club and continued his passion for developing a private collection of his own lovingly shaped Japanese bonsai plants.
From an early age Gary loved music. Church and school choir and plays were highlights. But when he first heard Elvis as a boy and the early stirrings of rock-n-roll, he was smitten. Then the Beatles invaded and his life was transformed with a true life-long passion for the guitar and music performance. Gary was ever working at increasing his gift as a vocalist but (self-admittedly) where he really shone was as a guitarist. He was primarily self-taught, started his first bands as a teen, then became guitarist with The Continentals. Gary met his musical stride with fellow bandmates (including the Reverend Rocky Barra) under the management of Rocky’s Dad, Rocco. The band became widely popular, playing regularly up to 5 times a week in the Detroit metro area, also backing nationally recognized pop and rock artists at local sock hops and even gleaning an audition at Motown (an offer they actually declined!). Gary later worked at Artie Fields Recording Studio where he learned much about the music recording industry and was inspired by meeting many respected local professionals and national talent in the entertainment profession. When Gary moved to Ann Arbor, his music continued as guitar instructor and performer. In addition to gigging with many artists, some of his own bands and collaborations included Two Cents Worth (with the late Gary Kern), Mary and Gary (with Mary Roth), Escape Velocity, Speed of Sound, Kitchen Sync (last three including with A2’s Kennee G), and Synchronicity (last two including his wife Shekinah Errington).
Gary was also an accomplished and prolific composer and has written an enormous volume of songs across multiple genres over the years. He has composed for musical productions performed at Schoolcraft College in Livonia where he was a college student. One of his early endeavors that received recognition was a collection of songs for “Night of the Bluebird,” which he had composed as an entry in a contest and won. His lyrical gift also expressed itself in beautiful, heartfelt poetry.
Gary respected the contributions of our country’s war heroes and yet, even as a teen, he knew in his heart that he could not condone or be a part of the Vietnam War. Given his personal commitment to peace and persistence before draft review boards, Gary was granted a Conscientious Objector status in the late sixties, allowing him to offer the alternative of service in the community. This led him to Ypsilanti State Regional (Psychiatric) Hospital where he worked initially as a nurse’s aid, continuing to work there as a health care professional for 23 years until the sad closing by the State of Michigan in 1991. His contributions there included opportunities to begin as a trainer of staff and close participation with cutting-edge studies with the U-M on administering humane care and treatment for the elderly.
Upon the sudden loss of career, Gary’s second wife, Amy Schonfeld Logan, was instrumental in helping him redirect his energy toward applying to U-M to pursue higher education. After having earned his associates degree at Washtenaw Community College and given his wealth of work experience and support of many mentors in the mental health arena, Gary was accepted at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. He was able to enter a unique accelerated program that lead to a Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW ’93). Upon matriculation and licensing he was thrilled to have been directly hired to the one position where he truly felt called. Gary held the position of Community Mental Health Specialist with Prevention and Community Response Services of Washtenaw County Public Health and retired after almost 17 years of service. After his recent retirement he continued to consult.
Gary was dedicated to making our world a better place to live. This was reflected in how he trained and in his desire to teach. He was always looking for just the right phrase to make a point and wordsmith it until it was just right.
Gary was very engaged as the Coordinator of Traumatic Events Response Network (TERN); co-chair of Region Two South Mental Health, Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM); an original founder of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT for law enforcement officers); coordinator of Reconnect of Michigan (for bereaved parents); ICISF-approved instructor for both group and individual Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) courses. Gary was a very active member of Parish Partnerships, a context in which his dedication to holistic health offered opportunities to organize and collaborate in events for understanding true spiritual experiences within the context of accurate psychological diagnoses.
Gary’s spiritual path was of vital importance in his life. He was a voracious reader and yoga and REIKI TUMMO practitioner. His primary path was Vedanta, though the Sufi path of the Beloved especially spoke to his Heart. He demonstrated his faith in his loving kindness and his natural nurturing capacity and good-hearted actions.
For several years, Gary led and co-led the popular local New Dimensions study group for spiritual and intellectual inquiry. He organized speakers and panels that addressed diversity of social inner concerns, representing the wider audience.
Gary was an active member of the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth in Ann Arbor. He and Shekinah were led to this dear church-home together—a gathering of kindred souls who perfectly match the range and ever-expanding scope and depth of their own faith and spiritual inquiry. He and Shekinah were married by Interfaith’s senior pastor, Dave Bell, on August 27, 2005. Gary was so grateful for the many ways in which Interfaith members and friends appreciated, supported, and celebrated his musical contributions there as well. Gary and Shekinah often marveled together at the beautiful synchronicity of giving, receiving, and growing that routinely graces this blessed circle of loved ones!
Gary died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 26, 2010, of respiratory and heart failure. He is survived by his Beloved, his wife, Shekinah Errington; his two children by his first wife, Gerry Logan (deceased 04-04-09), Heather Lynn Chinchilla (Jorge Chinchilla) and Christopher Alan Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Marguerite Logan and his brother Dale Richard Logan. He is beloved by nieces and a nephew, sisters-in-law, aunts and uncles, many cousins, and life-long friends.
In lieu of flowers, you may choose to make a memorial gift in honor of Gary Ross Logan.
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Visitation:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 2 – 8 PM
Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 3 – 5 PM, Funeral Service at 5:00 PM, followed by a meal (food provided) at Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
Nie Funeral Home
2400 Carpenter Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan
http://niefuneralhomes.com
Extended Memorial Service
Saturday, June 19, 11 AM – 1 PM
followed by potluck.
Location:
Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth
704 Airport Blvd.
Ann Arbor, 48108-3606